Seeley Fire update, 7-6-12

Fire fighters have set an estimated containment date of July 15 for the Seeley Fire in western Carbon and Emery counties. As of Friday morning, the fire had involved 48,449 acres, or 76 square miles. Cost to date is $4.6 million.

The fire was 21 percent contained as of 8 a.m.

About a half inch of rain fell Thursday night and Friday morning but the land and dead vegetation remain critically dry. The rainfall did slow down the strategic burnout perimeter. Hand crews from the Eastern Arizona Incident Management Team will continue to mop up and patrol along the east, southern and southwest perimeter.

Hiawatha has been reopened to residents only. Access to a coal loandout facility at Wattis was also reopened.